The 9 year age difference between James, 23, and Sarah, 32, is something their friends and family sometimes find hard to overlook.

« Last Edit: April 19, 2012, 08:13:26 PM by georgiapeach »

Logged

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

The 9 year age difference between James, 23, and Sarah, 32, is something their friends and family sometimes find hard to overlook.

“A lot of people see it as a kind of cougar and toy boy type of thing,” says divorcee Sarah. “But let them think what they want to think.”

This volatile Melbourne couple started as friends and freely admit their romantic relationship is often on-again/off-again, or as Sarah says “a bit of a car crash”.

“It’s kind of like we can’t live with each other – we tried that and it didn’t work. But we can’t live without each other either,” says bar manager James.

“We can’t really stand each other’s company for more than two hours. She talks all the time. I’ve developed selective hearing. If it was an Olympic event I’d win gold.”

Sarah’s work as a laser clinician and beauty salon owner means she likes to maintain a highly-polished appearance, and isn’t averse to the odd bit of cosmetic enhancement.

“Maintaining my look won’t be a problem on the race because most of my makeup is tattooed on.”

Sarah might also raise some eyebrows with her race attire, which consists largely of skirts and heels.

“I don’t wear shorts and I can’t wear flat shoes because it makes my calves hurt. I have to wear heels. So I went to a bunch of shoe places to see if they could make me a hybrid heel runner. I call it a “hunner”. I went through about 10 versions before we got it right. They’re my secret weapon.”

“I know people will look at the hair and makeup and clothes and think I’m up myself but I don’t care,” she says.

Sarah describes herself as a “pushy, loud and persuasive person” who somehow always gets what she wants.

And while Sarah’s race preparation involved testing her makeup in the sauna and finding the right hair gel for James to withstand the gruelling conditions they are expecting, at least James hit the gym to try to improve his fitness levels.

“We might fail all the challenges but at least we’ll try to look good while we’re doing it,” laughs James.

I'm willing to bet money that these will be Chris & Anastasia 2.0, although probably not as bad and I don't foresee them making it as far either.

Logged

Cause you said you'd never let me go, and I said I can but now we knowThat it's too hard to say three words, too hard to make it workWhen there's nothing left to talk about, cause you know the flame is running outTwo hearts are left to burn... do you know, we're only left with smoke

REALITY TV couple Sarah and James say a nine-year age gap and constant fights keeps their relationship exciting.

SARAH ROZA, 33

"I married young. I met my husband at 16 but, by 2007, I realised we were different people to who we'd been then and we split up. I threw myself into work; I'm a beauty therapist with two of my own salons and, after work, I'd often take my laptop to a nearby bar where James worked. I started noticing he was cute.

One night in late 2008, we started chatting. He was putting together a new cocktail menu and got me to try his creations - I was soon drunk. After that, I'd always chat to him when I went in. He used to listen to me talking; he was paid to, so he didn't have a choice!

It never occurred to me that we'd be anything other than friends. He was easy to talk to and I liked that he told it to me straight, whereas a lot of guys told me what they thought I wanted to hear. After being with the same person for so long, I wanted to go out and have fun. And James was often the person I'd go out with.

But we were just friends for a long time. He was wary of me having split up with my husband and didn't want to be the rebound guy. And I was still adjusting to being single.

Even when we did finally get together, in January 2011, it was in dribs and drabs. It was very intense, then we'd back off. We categorised ourselves as 'friends with benefits' for a while. We see ourselves as boyfriend and girlfriend now, but it's not as if we sat down and said, "OK, from now on, we're in a proper relationship." It just evolved.

I was up-front about how old I am, but it's never been an issue. Because I'm in the beauty business, I always make an effort with my appearance and I act younger than I am, and James seems older than he is, so we meet in the middle. A lot of people see it as a 'cougar and toy boy' type of thing, but let them think what they want; we just enjoy each other's company.

That said, our relationship has always been volatile. We both think we're right all the time. Once I've decided something is happening, it's my way or the highway and nothing will change my mind, which James finds difficult.

We're always fighting - there isn't one day that goes past when we don't - but I don't see it as a bad thing. I'd rather James spits out what's troubling him as opposed to holding it in. When I was married, I'd keep my mouth shut, but now I don't care about ruffling feathers. If James annoys me, I'll tell him. And vice versa. We fight a lot, but we laugh a lot, too. No one can make me laugh like James can. We've split up a few times, but it never lasts for long. We're like magnets - we can't leave each other alone.

Going on The Amazing Race Australia was difficult because you have to be no more than six metres apart for the duration of the race and we drove each other nuts. There were times when we wanted to kill each other, but five minutes later, we were laughing. It brought us closer together; if we can survive that, we can survive anything.

Will we get married? Never say never, but I'm happy with things the way they are. If he drives me crazy, I can take off. But I always come back because I value his opinion. He keeps me on my toes - that's our secret. The downfall of many relationships is becoming too comfy. Our relationship may not be everyone's style, but it works for us."

JAMES KINGSBURY, 24

"Our relationship is like deep-sea diving - you see lots of beautiful fish and you enjoy it but, every now and then, you need a breath of fresh air. We can't stand each other's company for more than a few hours. She talks all the time. I tune out; I've developed selective hearing.

Our relationship takes a lot of energy on both our parts, but no matter how many flaws I see in Sarah, I still genuinely enjoy spending time with her. Sure, sometimes she'll go a bit psycho and I'll need some space, but if you can find someone you still want to hang around with even though they drive you nuts, then you have to be doing something right."

REALITY TV couple Sarah and James say a nine-year age gap and constant fights keeps their relationship exciting.

SARAH ROZA, 33

"I married young. I met my husband at 16 but, by 2007, I realised we were different people to who we'd been then and we split up. I threw myself into work; I'm a beauty therapist with two of my own salons and, after work, I'd often take my laptop to a nearby bar where James worked. I started noticing he was cute.

One night in late 2008, we started chatting. He was putting together a new cocktail menu and got me to try his creations - I was soon drunk. After that, I'd always chat to him when I went in. He used to listen to me talking; he was paid to, so he didn't have a choice!

It never occurred to me that we'd be anything other than friends. He was easy to talk to and I liked that he told it to me straight, whereas a lot of guys told me what they thought I wanted to hear. After being with the same person for so long, I wanted to go out and have fun. And James was often the person I'd go out with.

But we were just friends for a long time. He was wary of me having split up with my husband and didn't want to be the rebound guy. And I was still adjusting to being single.

Even when we did finally get together, in January 2011, it was in dribs and drabs. It was very intense, then we'd back off. We categorised ourselves as 'friends with benefits' for a while. We see ourselves as boyfriend and girlfriend now, but it's not as if we sat down and said, "OK, from now on, we're in a proper relationship." It just evolved.

I was up-front about how old I am, but it's never been an issue. Because I'm in the beauty business, I always make an effort with my appearance and I act younger than I am, and James seems older than he is, so we meet in the middle. A lot of people see it as a 'cougar and toy boy' type of thing, but let them think what they want; we just enjoy each other's company.

That said, our relationship has always been volatile. We both think we're right all the time. Once I've decided something is happening, it's my way or the highway and nothing will change my mind, which James finds difficult.

We're always fighting - there isn't one day that goes past when we don't - but I don't see it as a bad thing. I'd rather James spits out what's troubling him as opposed to holding it in. When I was married, I'd keep my mouth shut, but now I don't care about ruffling feathers. If James annoys me, I'll tell him. And vice versa. We fight a lot, but we laugh a lot, too. No one can make me laugh like James can. We've split up a few times, but it never lasts for long. We're like magnets - we can't leave each other alone.

Going on The Amazing Race Australia was difficult because you have to be no more than six metres apart for the duration of the race and we drove each other nuts. There were times when we wanted to kill each other, but five minutes later, we were laughing. It brought us closer together; if we can survive that, we can survive anything.

Will we get married? Never say never, but I'm happy with things the way they are. If he drives me crazy, I can take off. But I always come back because I value his opinion. He keeps me on my toes - that's our secret. The downfall of many relationships is becoming too comfy. Our relationship may not be everyone's style, but it works for us."

JAMES KINGSBURY, 24

"Our relationship is like deep-sea diving - you see lots of beautiful fish and you enjoy it but, every now and then, you need a breath of fresh air. We can't stand each other's company for more than a few hours. She talks all the time. I tune out; I've developed selective hearing.

Our relationship takes a lot of energy on both our parts, but no matter how many flaws I see in Sarah, I still genuinely enjoy spending time with her. Sure, sometimes she'll go a bit psycho and I'll need some space, but if you can find someone you still want to hang around with even though they drive you nuts, then you have to be doing something right."

>> Series two of The Amazing Race Australia starts May 30, at 9pm, on the Seven Network.

Cause you said you'd never let me go, and I said I can but now we knowThat it's too hard to say three words, too hard to make it workWhen there's nothing left to talk about, cause you know the flame is running outTwo hearts are left to burn... do you know, we're only left with smoke

Cause you said you'd never let me go, and I said I can but now we knowThat it's too hard to say three words, too hard to make it workWhen there's nothing left to talk about, cause you know the flame is running outTwo hearts are left to burn... do you know, we're only left with smoke

They've got my vote for the best parent/child team in TAR history! <333

Logged

Cause you said you'd never let me go, and I said I can but now we knowThat it's too hard to say three words, too hard to make it workWhen there's nothing left to talk about, cause you know the flame is running outTwo hearts are left to burn... do you know, we're only left with smoke

Am I the only one who's a little annoyed by their "Oh look how big of an age difference there is!!!" schtick? I mean, we've had couples that are 14, 16, even 20 years apart. What's 9 years?

Ratings, Best Loser. Seven sensationalizes everything in hope to get a few more eyeballs watching the tv. Remember when they advertized for "the closest finish ever" in India two episodes ago? Where was that?

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

I like the fun side of Sarah a lot but the arguments between them are often petty and annoying.

Logged

Reality Fan Forum, where 'enthusiasm' is completely redefined as not meaning having an interest in and having something to say but as having to be completely positive even about aspects of something you disagree on. So both the fan and forum (discussion) aspects are prescribed/limited.

Cause you said you'd never let me go, and I said I can but now we knowThat it's too hard to say three words, too hard to make it workWhen there's nothing left to talk about, cause you know the flame is running outTwo hearts are left to burn... do you know, we're only left with smoke